Ollie Watkins shocks Paul Merson in ‘unbelievable’ Aston Villa incident v Fulham
Paul Merson was left in disbelief over Ollie Watkins’ actions during a key Premier League clash between Aston Villa and Fulham.
Despite notching 16 goals and 13 assists across all competitions before the game at Villa Park on Saturday, 3 May, many supporters have been disappointed by the striker’s performances.
Even Unai Emery has preferred Marcus Rashford over the 29-year-old, but with the Man United loanee suffering a new hamstring injury, the manager has been left with no other choice through the middle.
Having been knocked out of both the Champions League and the FA Cup, clinching a top-five spot in the Premier League table is all that matters now for the Villans.
After Youri Tielemans scored the opener against the Cottagers, Merson could not believe his eyes as Watkins missed a superb chance to secure an important three points in the race for Champions League football, failing to get a touch on a Matty Cash’s ball across with an open goal gaping.
Ollie Watkins squanders gilt-edged chance against Fulham
Speaking live on Sky Sports Soccer Saturday (3 May, 1:34pm), Merson said: “It should be 2-0 a minute into the second half. Matty Cash goes down the right-hand side, it’s a brilliant ball between the six-yard box and the penalty spot, and in comes Watkins.
“He goes to slide in, the ball goes under his foot, and it’s an unbelievable opportunity. He’s trying to side-foot it in, it goes under his foot, and he misses.”
Unai Emery to switch strikers at Aston Villa this summer
Football Insider verdict
Watkins has been accused of going missing in the important moments for Villa this season, and with Emery dropping him to the bench recently, it appears that the manager might also agree.
It is unknown whether Rashford will sign for Villa permanently this summer, but with more and more fans turning their backs on Watkins, there could be a changing of the guard at Villa Park.
| Player | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| Ollie Watkins | 221 | 86 | 40 |
Securing Champions League football again would certainly help replace the 86-goal striker this summer, but without it, it could be quite the struggle for Emery to find a suitable successor.
Marco Asensio is also a much-loved figure at Villa Park, but with the Spaniard also on loan until the end of the season, the manager could be left without multiple attackers for the 2025/26 campaign.
Watkins will, undoubtedly, get his form back, but whether he is still in Villa colours once that happens is an entirely different question, with Arsenal‘s bid during the winter proving that other clubs would snatch him up in a moment.